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Well currently I have a 16ga sxs with a monte carlo stock. I am going to get another of the same gun but this one will have a english stock. Basically it will be like have 2 sets of barrels for the same gun. Both are choked mod and full. I plan on using them to hunt birds and also for clay games. On the one I have I do very well with the mod and full at wobble trap and ok at 5 stand, haven't shot it at skeet yet, I always switch to my buddies 525 sporting 20ga because it has more open chokes, but would like to use mine sxs. My question is, what should I get the second set of barrels opened up to? I was thinking of ic and mod, this would give me a better option for closer shots. I thought about doing both the same (ic/ic or sk/sk) but I would like to keep the versatility that 2 chokes would give me. What consideration do I need to take in account if I want to use it over dogs?
thanks
Jim

Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 88 Location: Nericia, Sweden

Imp and Mod choke would be my suggestions. You get more even patterns with open chokes.

Old Sh.

Guest

Improved cylinder and modified are good choices, however, if your shots are within 20 to 30 yards you may want to consider Skeet in the open barrel and Light Modified (Skeet 2) in the tight barrel. With today's improved ammunition modified and full are almost too much choke although I really like seeing a target "smoked" after having been hit solidly at 20 yards with a full choke.

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2350 Location: West MI

I agree with TB, I'm a fan of open chokes. Cyl/Skt, Skt/Skt, Skt/Skt2 are all combos I use depending on the day/time of year/type of hunt. I'll qualify by adding I most often hunt very tight upland cover. The only time Mod starts making it in the gun is very late in the season or if I'm jump shooting duck's or some put-n-take shoots then it's Skt/Mod. I have a question...if you're going to have the gun "opened up" why not have tubes installed? The cost of adding tubes shouldn't be that much more costly.....then you end up with a gun that is very very versital. Good luck with whatever you choose, it's always exciting to be "in the hunt" for the next gun. Take care, Mike

Putz463,
I thought about adding screw in chokes but the work alone cost more that the shotgun did. Sad

.008 .016 Plenty tight for all your needs

Regards Charles

Take the chokes out and keep fixed chokes , cheaper and less problems .

You have a good prairie gun so I would go more open.

My 16 is .001 and .010 (Cyl/IC), not because I wanted it that way, but that is the way some fellow ordered it up a long time ago. It works great for grouse and woodcock over dogs and rarely have I thought I wanted more choke for that game.

I think the others have given good advice on IC/MOD. You may know this but an IC in 16 is about .006 - .012 restriction and MOD is about .013 - .021. A Cyl choke is about .000 - .001, Skeet .002 - .005, IMP MOD about .022 - .028 and Full .029 - .038. These may not be exact but they are close.

Years ago I used to use a 20 for skeet and it was IC/Mod. I don't know the exact restrictions, but I did fine with it.

It sort of depends on what you plan to do most. You mentioned shooting Skeet. If you are serious about that I would use no more than a IC. The modified choke will really "smoke" them if you hit them, but it will cause you more misses than hits. I use cylinder or skeet chokes. Nothing tighter for Skeet. One ounce of 9's out of a cylinder bore will smoke them too.

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 184 Location: Dover-Foxcroft, ME

It sounds like you're looking for something on the open side to complement your mod/full barrel.

I would go .006 and .012. .006 will give very open patterns with promotionals and at least IC with best quality stuff. One of my M-12s is .012 and it delivers close to IC patterns with promotional loads. With B&Ps it does about IM. Pretty versatile.

Sam

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2350 Location: West MI

Hey JB, forgot to ask...is the gun single or double trigger? Do you ever need the INSTANT intuitive choice of open or tight barrel? Like say decoyed ducks or sudden/surprising incomer or clean-up shot in a blind in the unlikly event your buddies have missed Rolling Eyes

or dispatch a crip. Here's a thought......since you said something about the gun being used over dogs (first shot usually somewhat predictable, close and/or going away) and are budget minded with the cost of adding tubes. Since most responses here agree with the open barrel being in the IC/Skt range and the other needing to be a bit tighter or adaptable to conditions. Why not have the one barrel with a fixed choke opened in the IC/Skt range and a tube installed in the other to make the second barrel fit the conditions? And...remember to pattern test the gun as is with several different loads including spreaders for a couple of reasons...1) for the sake of scientific process, you know exactly what chages have occured 2) you may find you do not have to modify the gun at all just use condition specific amunition. 3) it gives you a good reason to be out shooting 4)its fun. Take care, Mike